Burning 5L of engine oil in 500km (no smoke) 1985 2H Diesel Troopcarrier - Advice Welcome

[MilleeMaude]

Hi All

First post, unfortunately not the question I hopped to be asking but glad all the same to hear all your advice!!

We brought our troop just before we went back into lockdown (Melbourne, Australia) and had strict 5km limits on where we could travel to. We have since relocated 200km to the country where we noticed the oil significantly dropped. We placed some cardboard under to double check no leaks and there is none. Filled back up and took for another 150km trip to see how it went. and Again dropped significantly. We have not had any type of smoke come out of the exhaust

We took it to our local mechanic who did an oil change, cleaned the filters and topped up with better quality oil and checked the pump. He has advised us to give it another drive (approx. 500km) and come back and see him, before we start looking at potential rebuild options.

We have just clocked up 500km (over 2 trips) and the oil has gone from full to half

Our local mechanic, and is really helpful at exploring all the options before we hit the rebuild but just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this sort of burn without any normal symptoms of a rebuild and their life with the troop, as the no smoke threw him a little too.

Questions:

1. anyone had anything similar happen or could suggest a possible fix/reason outside of rebuild (cracked rings)? as this is excessive from the forums i've read and doesn't have the tell tale signs like smoke.
2. Would it be "ok" to continue to drive the troop, ensuring it has enough oil by topping up regularly for the next 2-3months (or 1,000kms) as timing wise need the troop for this period as relocating and have a few commitments that can't be postponed.
3. Does anyone know a good diesel/toyota mechanic in Victoria or South Australia? (Same reason as above, we are moving and our current mechanic does not do rebuilds but has them shipped in to put in)
4. All and any advice welcome
   

Bit of background for context:
We brought it 3 months ago, like with most troops (at least here) was no service history.
We took it straight to the mechanic (different to the above mentioned) from the seller and got the water pump fixed and a few other items serviced and fixed (roughly $4,000 AUD) to get her up and running.
2 weeks after getting her back from the mechanics the alternator needed replacing so we also got that done.
Only white smoke we only saw was once, after we first filled her completely up to full shortly after getting back from the first mechanic. Lasted only a day or too (and have been told that can often be due to the quality of fuel) this was almost 3 months ago.
We spent the last 3 months cleaning, working and fitting her out to tour Australia and relocate to NT, we personally have not touched the engine or under the bonnet.

Thanks again

 

[snapdragon]

Sounds like rings and bores to me but would smoke continuously. Have you checked the breathers?

 

[TonyP]

Rings and/or valves

 

[Indestructible 47]

The oil has to go somewhere, if its not leaking out it's either coming out of the exhaust (smoke) or it might be going into the rad. Check the radiator and make sure it's not looking like a milkshake. Other than that get a compression test done, that will give you a good indication of the condition inside the engine.

 

[jmylie]

My FJ55 had a similar issue, it would leak oil at highway speeds but not around town. First noticed when I stopped for gas after a 2 hr drive on the highway.

Turned out the fuel pump was leaking the oil from a weep hole. Replaced the fuel pump and no more leak.

There was considerable oil coating under the truck but no evidence of leaks where I parked it.

Not sure if there is anything similar with the 2H.

 

[roscoFJ73]

What model troopy is it and type of engine?
Hold a piece of white paper near the exhaust and get someone to increase the rpm to 2000. Any oil escaping past the rings will splatter the paper with oil droplets.
What viscosity oil are you using?
Oil burning has a distinctive smell to it.

If you need a rebuild, I would not ask a mechanic to do it. It is best done by an engine rebuilder who can do the rebuild and installation all under one roof.
Having mechanics do it is laborious and expensive, he can not do it as fast as an engine rebuilder. A mechanic will have to have it sent out for machining, he wont get the big discount on a rebuild kit.
Having a it done in a dedicated rebuild shop means there is only place to blame if it does go wrong. When the work has been farmed out to various players, they will all blame each other.
I had my 1HZ done by a someone who specialised in Toyota diesels and installed it myself. It worked fantastic and the next owner was also happy with it.

Just be aware that engine rebuilds require a radiator test to get a warranty. They may or may not come with a water pump, thermostat and a few other bits and pieces.
Getting the clutch replaced and flywheel machined is also a good idea. These extras will add a t least a $1000 onto the cost.

 

[MilleeMaude]

Thanks all Really helpful
It's back at the mechanic to get an oil catch on, so once back will do the paper test mentioned and check for leaks when on the road (that would be the ideal outcome)
Compression test came back all good.
its a HJ75 (1989) 2H 4L Diesel with 330,000km on the clock
fingers crossed - will keep you updated

 

[duncanrm]

Are you using a full mineral oil? Is the engine turboed?

A catch can is pointless on a 2H.